Nike's New CEO Started As An Intern – Here's What's Behind His 30-Year Climb To The Top

Elliott Hill's rise to executive prominence at Nike is the stuff of corporate legend. He started as an intern in 1988 and after 30 years of dedication and a brief retirement, he's back to help lead the company he's called home for decades.

Nike's stock shot up after the news broke that Hill would replace John Donahoe as CEO. Hill is a familiar face at Nike, having held multiple roles at the company. He's done everything – from sales intern to VP positions and now the top job. 

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Born in Austin, Texas, Hill credits his work ethic to his mother, a single mom who set an “unbelievable example in terms of commitment,” he told the FORTitude podcast, as quoted by Reuters. Hill's humble beginnings and relentless drive perfectly fit Nike's core values. He even joked on the podcast about how he once put 60,000 miles on an old Chrysler minivan, driving around to sell shoes in his early years at Nike.

Hill's loyalty to the brand isn't just in his job titles. Nike's Executive Chairman, Mark Parker, praised him in a statement for his decades of work, saying Hill helped shape Nike into "the magical place it is today." Hill himself is eager to reconnect with old colleagues and create new partnerships. He said, "Nike has always been a core part of who I am."

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Hill isn't just a corporate climber. He's also built strong relationships with Nike's key athletes, including Michael Jordan. Hill famously recalled Jordan joking about his global expansion plans for the Jordan brand, saying, “If our revenue goes back, I'm going to come and stuff that shoe up your rear," he said on the FORTitude podcast, as quoted by Reuters.

Analysts are optimistic, hoping Hill's deep roots at Nike will help revitalize the brand. Jessica Ramirez, an analyst at Jane Hali and Associates, didn't sugarcoat it when she told Reuters: “At Nike, the culture has fallen apart.”

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Hill's insider status might just be what Nike needs to get back on track. His return to Nike comes at a pretty crucial time. Nike’s not flying high right now – sales are down and competitors are stealing market share. Plus, the company is trying to slash $2 billion in costs over the next few years, according to Reuters. Hill's expected to bring some fresh energy.

Wall Street is hopeful, too. Brian Nagel from Oppenheimer put it bluntly when he told Reuters: “Product innovation at the company is still lacking.” And a lot of people agree. Nike's lost some of its creative magic and it's showing. But with Hill back, there's hope the brand can refocus on what made it iconic: groundbreaking, can't-live-without products.

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But what makes Hill's story even cooler? It's personal. His rise from intern to CEO is rare in today's world of constant job-hopping. It shows that loyalty and grit can still pay off when a company is willing to invest in its people.

As Hill takes the reins, everyone's watching to see how he'll steer the ship. He's got Nike in his blood after 30-plus years. If anyone can guide the brand through rough waters, it's him. And Nike is banking on that deep connection to its roots to find its way forward.

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